March & April, 2019: Sailing the Bahamas

The Bahamas are one of the finest cruising grounds on the planet. Gin-clear water, amazing colors, glorious coral reefs, incredible sunrises and sunsets, welcoming people . . . There’s no better way to explore this area than by sailboat. We’re planning six legs: three that include offshore passages (1, 4, and 6,) and three that are primarily island hopping (2, 3, and 5.)

March 2 - 8, 2019

Key West to Grand Bahama Island

6 days, 240 nautical miles

This classic trip includes a crossing of the Gulf Stream. After leaving Key West, the Hawk Channel offers protected waters, beautiful scenery and, if the crew desires, snorkeling opportunities. When the wind and sea conditions are right, we’ll jump out into the Gulf Stream and ride it to the Bahamas. We may stop in Bimini, or other smaller Bahamian cays before reaching West End on Grand Bahama Island.

Cost: $1,500Availability: 2 positions

March 9 - 15, 2019

West End, Grand Bahama Island to Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island

6 days, 125 nautical miles

This sail crosses the northern half of Little Bahama Bank. After leaving West End, we’ll plan to make a series of day sails with potential stops at Mangrove Cay, Great Sale Cay, Fox Town, Green Turtle Cay and/or other classic Abacos stops before our arrival in Marsh Harbour. Depending on the preferences of the crew, we’ll have opportunities to snorkel and visit quaint Bahamian settlements.

March 16 - 23, 2019

Cruise the Abacos Under Sail

7 days

Starting and ending at March Harbour, we’ll take seven days to explore the waters, islands, reefs, and settlements of the Abacos. This is a spectacular cruising ground. Steady trade winds, together with off lying reefs that block the ocean swells, make the sailing fantastic! We’ll have a lot of flexibility to sail, snorkel, meet locals, and socialize with other sailors as the crew desires. Among the many places we may visit are:

Hope Town, with its iconic lighthouse

Little Harbour, with its historic cave and Pete’s Pub

Green Turtle Cay, where British loyalists fled during the American Revolution ; and

March 30 - April 6, 2019

From the Abacos to the Eleutheras

7 days; 100 nautical miles

This expedition offers both the thrill of an overnight offshore passage and the magic of cruising Bahamian cays. We’ll head south through the Sea of Abaco from Marsh Harbor, visiting iconic Abaco destinations like Hope Town and/or Little Harbor. When the weather is right and the crew is ready, we’ll jump offshore and sail south across the Northeast Providence Channel in water two and a half miles deep. After rounding Egg Island, we’ll seek out a quiet anchorage, perhaps off Royal Island. With our remaining time, we’ll explore the cays and sail the protected waters of the Northern Eleutheras before arriving at Spanish Wells.

April 7 - 13, 2019

Cruising Eleuthera

6 days

Starting and ending at Spanish Wells, we’ll explore this lightly visited cruising ground. We’ll transit Current Cut and explore the west side of Eleuthera Island. As the crew wishes, we’ll make stops at iconic destinations such as Glass Window Bridge, Hatchet Bay (Gregory Town,) Governor’s Harbour . . . potentially sailing as far south as Davis Channel before heading back northwest across the bank. The Eleutheras offer great sailing, snorkeling, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, and charming Bahamian settlements.

April 22 - 28, 2019

Passage from Eleuthera to West Palm Beach

6 days, 200 nautical miles

This is a beautiful, downwind, bluewater voyage back to the states from Spanish Wells in Northern Eleuthera. Cobalt blue seas, easterly trade winds, following seas, outstanding fishing opportunities... This is glorious passagemaking! We’ll transit Providence Channel before reaching the Gulf Stream and riding the current northwest to Florida. The Berry Islands and Grand Bahama are among the potential stops if the weather requires or the crew wishes.